Despite Hurricane Ian's devastation "We never felt we were walking alone"

A year since Ian brought death and destruction, United Methodist volunteers continue to provide hope through grace

Disaster Response to Hurricane Idalia presents different challenges

The widespread path of damage from the storm complicates recovery efforts

Florida Conference United Methodists begin Idalia recovery

Bishop Berlin letter - Lahaina Wildfire Relief

Members of The Florida Conference understand the long-term consequences of a natural disaster. When we read about the fires that ravaged the historic town of Lahaina, Hawaii, we knew that the loss of life, property and historical treasures was devastating.

Being prepared is the best defense as hurricane season begins

Have a plan, stay informed, and don't assume you're safe because you're not in the storm's direct path.

Edgewater UMC praised God through the storm with its lips and actions

Hurricane Ian badly damaged Edgewater UMC, but that didn't stop the church from providing vital services to its community.

"We are bound together, we are brothers and sisters in Christ"

The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, KS. put the "united" in United Methodists when Florida was in need. And the Florida Conference says "thank you."

Even in the midst of a disaster, Florida United Methodists still focus on serving

Florida United Methodist congregations mobilized to provide relief and supplies after Hurricane Ian struck.

"I knew at that point I had to do this myself.”

When two elderly ladies from Naples, including a United Methodist, were threatened by Hurricane Ian, Dan Mulkern was in the right place with the right tools to save them. A God thing? Absolutely.

Florida Conference asks the question: How can we help you?

After Hurricane Ian hit with such force, the Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church sprung into action.

Putting the needs of others first is highest calling for Disaster Response

A suddenly active hurricane season means the Florida Conference Disaster Response Team must be ready to provide help where needed.

In disaster response, a solar generator can bring light to the darkness

Teams from the Florida and North Carolina Conferences will combine forces to build a solar-powered generator for use when disaster strikes

FLUMC Receives Tremendous Support from the Lowe’s Reconstruction Grant Program

The FLUMC Disaster Recovery Ministry received $25K grant from Lowe's to aid in recovery from tornadoes that damaged southwest Florida in January.

Disaster Recovery & SHIP Program to partner on $1.8 million grant

The Conference partnership with the SHIP program will help South Fort Myers tornado victims on the long road to recovery

FLUMC Disaster Response Team lends helping hand in Fort Myers

It could take years for some residents to recover from the devastating storms. You can help the effort with your donation.

United Methodists respond after devastating twisters

UM churches are mobilizing quickly to provide food, emergency shelter and other relief while also dealing with their own needs.

Florida Conference to aid relief effort from Kentucky tornadoes

How can you help? For now, Kentucky needs your prayers and donations of money.

Disaster Recovery Updates

Hurricane Ida, Afghan Resettlement, Haiti Earthquake & COVID Vaccination Clinics

"You absolutely could feel Jesus in the room"

Florida United Methodist churches and volunteers stepped up to provide aid and comfort at the site of the Surfside condo tragedy.

Standing with Haiti amid quake and storm

Prayer & Support for Haiti after 7.2 Magnitude Earthquake

We are asking congregations to lift the Haitian people in prayer and donate to relief efforts.

Big Pine UMC uses Hearts, Hammers & Hands to help its community

The Florida Keys have been romanticized in literature and song over the years. Still, residents of that little slice of paradise at Florida's extreme southern tip know it as something much more than ...

United Methodists lead with their hearts in Miami disaster relief effort

So much was lost in the catastrophe at the Champlain Towers South in Surfside. Friends, family members and loved ones were gone in a moment, along with a sense of security that may well be hard to ...

Pam Garrison honored with FEPA Distinguished Service Award

Pam Garrison, the former Disaster Response Coordinator for the Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church, is the recipient of the FEPA 2021 Distinguished Service Award. Pam Garrison ...

For Pam Garrison, Disaster Response is more than a job, it's a ministry

The Florida Conference Disaster Response Coordinator and director of the Conference's Disaster Recovery Ministry is retiring after 16 years of helping people recover from catastrophe.

Churches pick up after Sally

Hurricane brought strong winds, torrential rain to west Florida and south Alabama.

The Work of Disaster Recovery Photo Essay

A look at FloridaRestores in action.

Especially now, preparation is vital in hurricane season

Floridians know all about the power of hurricanes. But with COVID-19 added to the mix, don't put off preparing your hurricane plan.

Hurricane Irma recovery efforts winding down

Although many homes still need repairs, financial resources are drying up, and volunteers are moving elsewhere.

Irma recovery: homes to be dedicated in Spanish

The Florida Conference will dedicate three rebuilt homes—one in LaBelle and two in Clewiston—with two of the ceremonies conducted completely in Spanish, a first.

Helping Hurricane Dorian survivors

Many of you and your congregants have been asking how you can help the Bahamas after the devastation of Hurricane Dorian. A Hurricane Dorian fact sheet was sent to your districts Thursday to update them on current activities in the Bahamas and how we, as The United Methodist Church, are responding—both now and over the next few months.

Bishop Carter encourages offering to UMCOR

Bishop Carter encourages reception of an offering for the United Methodist Committee on Relief in the midst and aftermath of Hurricane Dorian.

Resources for churches responding to Hurricane Dorian

In addition to our partners at Johns Eastern, we have engaged the Aon Global Rapid Response team to aid in the timely processing of our claims. The Aon Rapid Response experts will arrive at the hardest hit areas within 48-72 hours after landfall of the storm.

Local partnerships boost Hurricane Maria recovery

As many as 3,000 people lost their lives in Puerto Rico—a number that is believed to be severely under-reported in the early days of the aftermath. The island, already in economic distress before the storm, still struggles with recovery.

It’s hurricane preparedness season, again

Colorado State University’s Department of Atmospheric Science expects as many as 12 named storms with five or more becoming full-fledged hurricanes. They predict that at least two will become major hurricanes with wind levels reaching Category 3 or stronger.

Miami Lakes youth mission: the Holy Spirit in action

“I have been on a lot of mission trips,’’ said Rev. Stuart Bodin, pastor of Miami Lakes UMC. “But I’ve never had a better experience than this one. It was remarkable to feel the Holy Spirit in action and experience that level of faith and love.’’

‘Volunteer Village’ eases volunteer housing crunch in Keys

The housing for disaster recovery volunteers was created by the Monroe County Long Term Recovery Group (LTRG), an organization founded in February of last year and consisting of faith-based organizations, including the Conference, non-profits, businesses and government agencies.

UMCOR Sunday, March 31, supports disaster response

For more than 50 years, United Methodist congregations have been taking part in a special UMCOR Sunday offering, laying the foundation for UMCOR’s ministry of relief and hope.

Florida churches raise over $1.5 million for Michael relief

Inspired by a matching funds challenge of $500,000 from First UMC Ormond Beach, Florida Conference churches raised over $1 million for Hurricane Michael relief for the Alabama West Florida Conference. A total of $1,533,096 was donated to their recovery.

One year in: Hurricane Irma recovery needs volunteers

The number of volunteers dropped off significantly after attention shifted to areas in the Carolinas hit by Florence, then to the Panhandle, devastated this summer by Michael.

Florida focuses on Hurricane Michael for Giving Tuesday, Nov. 27

The Florida Conference is celebrating GivingTuesday, Nov. 27, this year by asking donors to contribute to the Hurricane Michael matching fund. Click here to donate online.

Gift will match up to $500,000 in Hurricane Michael donations

The people of the First United Methodist Church of Ormond Beach have challenged the Florida Annual Conference to help our sisters and brothers in the panhandle through a matching gift up to the amount of $500,000.

Hurricane Michael special collection

We know all too well the shock and helpless feeling hurricane survivors are left with when the storms pass. After a weather event of this magnitude, there are many ways to help but monetary donations are crucial in the immediate aftermath

Conference ready to help survivors get back on their feet

Before Hurricane Michael slammed into Panama City and the Florida Panhandle and left jaw-dropping carnage in its wake, The United Methodist Church was already planning how best to serve victims of the ferocious Category 4 storm.

Exercise caution in Hurricane Michael aftermath

Be smart and be safe. Most serious injuries and death occur after the storm has passed. As you check your home and check on neighbors, pay attention to your surroundings, looking for downed power lines, snakes, red ant mounds (which travel in flood waters) and other hazardous debris the storm may bring. Photo courtesy Rev. Wayne Wiatt.

Wait, pray, give as Hurricane Florence batters coast

Your prayers and gifts to UMCOR are the best possible resources to share before, during and after Florence makes landfall.  We know firsthand the difference those gifts can make, as we first responded in the aftermath and then began the long road of recovery–a road we are still traveling today!

Churches, Family Promise battle Central Florida homelessness

In the shadow of Walt Disney World, which calls itself the happiest place on Earth, there is another, far-different story taking place.

Kindness of neighbors: Hurricane recovery in Pahokee

Florida communities devastated by Hurricane Irma are not alone thanks to connections of volunteers established by Florida Restores.

'Hands and feet of Jesus' tackle Irma damage

Seven months after Hurricane Irma struck the Florida Keys last September, the Rev. Terri Hill, pastor at Key West United Methodist Church, reflected on how the world embraced her small community.

Irma campus-based recovery team ‘loves out loud’

Many schools refer to mission trips as “alternative spring breaks.” The Virginia Tech campus minister says for the Wesley Foundation “it's not an alternative. It's just what they do.”